Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you teach Guitar?
Sure do. I teach in Toronto and also on skype for anyone whos interested in a video chat lesson! Contact me via manelijamal@gmail.com for more info.

Are there tabs available?
Yeah, I have all my songs accuretly tabbed out with Guitar Pro. Go to the TABS section to see what I've got so far.

Are all the songs on your new cd ONLY one guitar??
Sure are! I think I forgot to mention that on the CD... crap. The Idea was to recreate what would be performed in a live setting.

Are you self taught?
Yes yes, did lots of experimenting and reading on music composition, techniques, and approaching the Guitar. Currently starting to learn some Jazz stuff.

How important do you think it is to learn songs from other artists, rather than just trying to dive into composing?
I kind of just dove right in it without learning any other pieces in this style. It was very uncomfortable to start tapping on the acoustic at first but like anything - the more you repeat the motion, the easier it becomes. I always had a fixation with trying new things and discovering them myself, this way will take longer but I think it's more rewarding as you are going through all the motions to try and create the sounds. With this, you learn many other things simotaneously. Also, music was being played by my dad my whole life growing up. He is a great violinist and has taught me many things both directly and indirectly due to what I heard when in the other room while he was playing. It intrigued me.

Do you have any advice on how to play like you?
I learned from watching and emerging myself into the style I was learning. So if i wanted some crazy percussive parts, Id listen to something like metal and get inspired. This is the order of which I tried to learn as much as possible in the style - Punk, Rock, Screamo, Metal, Flamenco, Classical, Blues, Experimental, Two hand tap, Percussive, Fingerstyle and whatever you want to call where I am at now!

Where exactly are you from?
I consider myself a citizen of the world but I am of Persian heritage, born in Russia, moved to Germany for the first 9 years of my life. Moved to the US for the next 9 years of my life. Then got kicked out of the US when I was 18 and claimed refuge in Canada where I currently live. I counted how many times I moved a while ago and it was 17!

Did you draw this website and design it?
Yeah I used to draw a lot and I make websites too. Check out the MANELI DESIGNS link to the left there.

What equipment and gear do you use when playing live or recording?
I play with a taylor 814ce - Limited Edition 2006. Its a beauty and had to save for a while to get her. When playing live I just plug into a DI box and hope the soundman knows what he's doing. The pickup on the guitar is the expression system used from Taylor, it picks up everything very nicely. For recording on video or other projects I use a Rode NT4 Stereo mic with a AT3035 Condensor Mic to capture the room. Add a little reverb and compression and thats it!


Have you got a question you want answered? E-mail Maneli now!